BENIN AGOG AS JUDO ALL AFRICAN GAMES FINAL NATIONAL OPEN TRIALS KICKS OFF
OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
Athletes, Coaches and officials from all over Nigeria have started arriving Benin City, Edo State for the Judo Final National Open Trials ahead of the 2019 All Africa Games billed for Morocco in August.
The Final National Open Trials will hold from Thursday, June 27 to Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the indoor hall of the University of Benin, Ugbowo, Benin-City.
According to statement signed by Wole Opatola, Event Media Co-ordinator of the Trials made available to National Reformer, Mr. wa Ekuta, Technical Director, Nigeria Judo Federation said that athletes from all the states of the federation are expected to participate in seven weight categories in the male and female cadre, with the two finalists in each category getting a call up to the national camp ahead of the All Africa Games.
The statement added that Mr. Ekuta, a former African Champion further revealed that the team selected will also serve as a standing Nigeria national team to any Judo international event.
The statement further added that Prince Timothy Nsirim, President, Nigeria Judo Federation, Prince Timothy Nsirim expressed his appreciation to the Edo State Government through the Edo State Sports Commission for coming to the aide of the Federation in providing funds and logistics for the Final National Trials which according to him, is the right step at ensuring a great outing for Nigeria in Judo at the fast approaching All Africa Games.
According to Nsirim, “Nigeria Judo Federation is greatful to the Governor Godwin Obaseki led Edo State Government and the people of the state for providing the funds, venue, accomodation and other logistics needed to carry out this open trials ahead of the 2019 All African Games and we are all excited at the prospect of coming to Benin for what promises to be the best of Judo techniques and skills exhibition by Judokas from all over the country eager to make the final cut for Morocco.”
Some of the weight categories to be contested for by the male and female Judokas are the -78, -57, +100, – 60 kg class and according to the General Secretary of the Nigeria Judo Federation, Adesiyan Abimbola, all the international Judo rules and codes of engagement will be strictly followed with electronic scoring technology expected to be deployed for the athletes to get used to the standard expected at the 12th All Africa games in Morocco billed for the 18th – 31st August 2019.
Loveth Howell, a member of the Nigeria Judo Federation from Edo State is already on ground acting as the liaison officer between the National Judo Federation and the Edo State Government to put all modalities in place for a memorable and hitch free event.
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